Mets GM supports MLB's new hazing policy

Sandy Alderson stands by MLB's decision to implement a new hazing policy.

MLB announced Monday that players can no longer be asked to dress in female costumes, or as women.

"It's something I'm very concerned about as a potential issue," the New York Mets general manager said, per ESPN's Adam Rubin. "I've seen it in the military. For all the camaraderie it's supposed to promote, it's divisive and I think undercuts morale. So you've got to be very careful."

Hazing, or "rookieing," is a ritual performed on first-year players by most teams in most sports. In the report, MLB stated that under the new collective bargaining agreement, some rookie rituals, such as carrying pink backpacks to the bullpen, are still permitted.

But players will also be banned from consuming alcoholic beverages or any other kind of drug, or any unwanted substance.

Despite some rituals appearing harmless, Alderson added that "very little" of the hazing is useful for team bonding, citing his own experiences.

"What's my experience?" Alderson said. "It's not as a player. It's as somebody who was in the military, somebody who was in a fraternity. We all experience that at different levels. Is it constructive? Is it useful? Is it juvenile? It's probably juvenile.

"It's probably not useful or constructive in too many ways."